Thriving too

Cheering up Jeremy Paxman

The BBC reports that a loose coalition called the Optimists Society will be sending cheer up packages to Jeremy Paxman, "Chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling, Radio 4 presenter John Humphrys, famously straight-faced comedian Jack Dee and the cast of the BBC soap EastEnders. In London, a free lunchtime comedy show will be held at the Comedy Store, featuring a motivational session from comedian Neil Mullarkey."

All to mark tomorrow as supposedly the most miserable day of the year.

OK, That is it . . .

I am now convinced. Home workers need to get out more!

Please look at this site. A new blog dedicated to 'bookshelves, bookcases and things that look like them'. I think they are all very gorgeous and interesting but given that the blog has been started by Alex who has another beautiful blog called Shedworking they are an accessory for the home worker. The benefits of working from home are well documented. There is a great post on this subject on Alexander Kjerulf's site.

But there is a real movement to re-connect with people especially if you are away from offices. Example is the wonderful increase in the number of 'men's communal sheds' springing up across Australia - we blogged about that in November. At the last count there were over 216 community sheds open which are drawing older men to socialise and work. The men are working on a variety of craft projects, such as metal and wood work, as well as community projects. The increase has led to a decrease in depression and suicides in this age group as men who have become lonlier following retirement, rediscover a sense of community.

The increase in co-working hubs, reported in The New York Times (thanks for the link Libby) shows that people need to be with others. And they are springing up all over the UK too.

Bigger sheds required? Good shelves can make you happy.... People make you even happier! I hope there are some hot tips on this in Alex's new book called Shedworking out later this year . . . perhaps creating communal shed communities. Or perhaps a communal one where they can make the shelves.... An allotment of sheds for growing people as well as produce?

So where (and when) will the children play?

 

Hello. I'm Libby Davy from Authentic Blogging Nodestone. I help people express, connect and learn. Tessy has invited me to contribute to Thriving. So here goes.

Rumbling around down at the park with my daughter Bea (7) and four friends, I was struck yet again by the simplicity, the complexity, the beauty of how children learn through play. About themselves, about each other, about the world.

All they really had, all they needed, was time, space - and each other. Well maybe a few maltesers too.

Wouldn't it be profound if they simply had more of this?

In stark contrast was the phone call to Bea the same week, from another friend, just a few hundred metres up the road. She called to arrange to meet up in the Massively Multiplayer Online Game (MMOG) Club Penguin (aka "Club Zombie" in our family).

We allow limited access to such spaces and experiences as we all learn how to get the best they might (or might not) offer. Just as we now have a Nabaztag wifi Rabbit (but that's a whooole 'nother story). Yes, we are a geek family, but also quite pagan in our need to be earthed.

Each has their place. Real life relationships / experiences and mediated ones. But what I am seeing around the world is too much online/onscreen and not enough free play. The research keeps rolling in to tell us this, and I'll save that for another post.

It's a big topic.  A massive topic, and has so many threads. I'm a great supporter of exploring the potentials of technology and new media, of the work being done by people like Futurelab. I've been researching and practicing in these areas for some time. But the bottom line for me is, free play first.  Lots of it.

See also the Authentic Blogging post (and soon to be Manifesto and Movement) with a quote from Seneca: "Everywhere is Nowhere". Would love you to all join the dialogue.

So for now, I say... roll on play dates, free play time alone, summer down the park... camping trips and all-weather excursions.

A little bit of boredom can be the grit in the oyster of learning and becoming.

If I were an umbrella

Thank you V and P for such a lovely gift!!! I have guarded your identity for selfish reasons. Obviously. :)